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Understanding 9/11View Post [edit]
| Poster: | He Live's | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 6:03pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
one of the truly stunning dark stars they ever played. this is a relatively friendly version... they do not go into any real scary spaces. in fact they are really feelin' groovy.... billy sounds amazing, at 4:00 -- using every single drum and cymbal at his disposal, a wonderful mix of deep Toms and cymbals.... they quiet to a hush at 6:00 and begin looking for routes upon which to begin the ascent.... finally out of a deep meditation, at 8:40 Phil introduces THE RIFF -- Billy is the first to pick up on it, keith is there at 9:00, they are locking in on something -- by 10 minutes they are off into uncharted waters -- i can't say enough about BK -- his playing is at the Zen level.... after the verses are sung PHIL takes over playing completely SOLO for about two minutes..... the bass solo comes to a blissful conclusion as Jerry comes back in at 18:13, WOW! what a NOTE!
ASSEMBLY HALL, University of Illinois, Champaig-Urbana -- February 22, 1973:
they do not range too far out on dark star this night -- perhaps the crowd was giving off too much energy of their own.... and the boys could not get into the deep meditation space.... jerry begins pushing very hard at about 12:45 eventually ending up in a Tiger-type meltdown... this mania settles down and Jerry slides right into Eyes.... and likewise very quickly into the lyric, perhaps sensing that this crowd needs something to help it reaffirm that yes, we are still firmly planted on the ground... they really charge through the lyrics, the whole group singing IN FULL..... immediately after the last chorus is sung at 7:05 -- they head straight into extended improv territory.... it is a wash of bobby maniacally strumming and KEITH running up and down the keyboard bouncing between bobby's sustain and jerry's flow of lines..... they are working on the extended jam where they modulate about every 16 bars... 11:30, jerry starts playing the Slipknot-type riff that still gives us all fits.... they struggle through this passage and the last minute of eyes of the world is a mad thrash to the finish line. at last they mellow.... and the first strains of China Doll percolate to the surface.... Jerry's voice is very true and in tune -- he sings beautifully.
PORTLAND MEMORIAL COLISEUM, Portland OR -- JUNE 24, 1973
nearly four months after their last attempt at this suite of songs the dead come out and open the second set with Dark Star! after 1969, this was only done a handful of times, at best... immediately they are on another plane.... whereas they played it very close to the theme, with the somewhat heavy handed attempt on 2/22... this night, from the first notes we are dropped into the solemn interior of the anteroom where our pilots are quietly readying themselves.... the five are ushered towards the portal by a man in a white coat. they pass in file through the doorway and the entry point closes behind them.... in a glow of orange light and steam they do not speak but work their way up the long flight of stairs, surrounded by the heavy metal infrastructure that will put them on a true course -- it is nearly sunrise. the moon hangs low on the horizon. they reach the top of the stairs and quietly get into the small capsule that sits atop the five story three stage rocket that will shoot them heaven bound....
at 6:35 PHIL introduces THE RIFF again -- the same one from 2/15 -- but here it is immediately seized upon by BILLY, BOBBY and JERRY.... they settle comfortably in and get to work..... the first stages of the rocket burn out and fall back to earth... they have broken through the upper atmosphere by 11:00 -- they have reached a new plane of being altogether.... they have never been here before.... they look through small round windows at the blue globe spinning in the distance, growing smaller by the second.... stunned by the G-Forces during launch, KEITH regains consciousness at about 11:30 -- and you can feel a surge of energy hit the group -- they are now acclimated to weightlessness. they settle into orbit at 14:30 -- billy takes the controls while the others make minor adjustments to their equipment. at 16 minutes.... Jerry reads the mission statement aloud:
Dark star crashes
pouring its light
into ashes
Reason tatters
the forces tear loose
from the axis
Searchlight casting
for faults in the
clouds of delusion
shall we go,
you and I
While we can?
Through
the transitive
nightfall
of diamonds
the capsule is virtually powerless now.... it is floating in space in an orbit of gravity's design, they pass around the far side of the moon, the earth disappears from view.... there is no sound.... the sense of loneliness and fear is overwhelming... only as earth comes back into view does the fear subside and human warmth again fills the capsule.... they know they are headed home....
having had a full four months to practice, they really nail Eyes of the World this night. the tricky ending jam is played with authority.... again, Jerry does not fail us and China Doll is a sweet lullaby.... it offers us a chance to float back to earth without a crash.....
WINTERLAND ARENA, San Francisco CA -- November 11, 1973
so much has been said about this concert... in particular this wide ranging Dark Star... and it's long too, clocking in at 35 minutes plus. like their last attempt at this trio of songs the dead sound very comfortable, and certainly in the right head space from the outset. playing on their home turf, they certainly knew that they had the right audience -- willing to go on a journey, wherever it took them. but who could really prepare themselves for the meditation on sound and spirit our Metaphysical Poets would lead us through this night?
the conversation begins to take on a new dimension around the 9:30 mark as Bobby and Keith start pushing the music in a new direction. they have a special rapport going this night and they keep the magic carpet flying throughout Jerry's many probing runs, as he turns down every alley and side street between the Wharf and the heart of the Mission. the dark star space after the lyrics is very long and loose this night... they get the engines firing again around the 23 minute mark.... Jerry however, is still deliberately chasing his dark muse, as he lets some very mournful cries ring out through the 26 minute mark -- the rhythm sections pushes the tempo and plays a foil to jerry's cries with quick staccato hits -- a very frenetic jam persists through 31 minutes, until Bobby starts in on a very beautiful and appropriate Mind Left Body Jam at 31:13....
a very uplifting Eyes of the World>China Doll.... again, restores some psychic peace, and we are left changed and transported and you must say, Grateful indeed.
(i know, mickey did not play on these tracks.)
This post was modified by He Live's on 2008-12-08 02:03:32
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | jackstraw86 | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 6:42pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Thanks again for a wonderful post. I've not chimed on one of yours before but they are truly appreciated. You always do a fantastic job, a poet/commentator all rolled into one. I love it! Ashes is another who does a fantastic job wrapping up a song/show/period in such a way.
Just wanted to know that your posts such as this are really appreciated.
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | He Live's | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 6:59pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | Rings&Bells | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 4:47pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | light into ashes | Date: | Dec 8, 2008 4:10am |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | MORE STARS (setlist curiosities) |
It seems like doing Dark Star>Eyes>China Doll only four times makes it a rare trio - but they did Dark Star>Eyes>Stella Blue only THREE times!
6-30-73
10-25-73
12-6-73
There's a twist on 10-30-73, with Dark Star>Stella Blue>Eyes>Weather Report Suite. (They wouldn't do a Dark Star>Stella Blue again until 7-25-74!)
And sometimes they put a different surprise at the end of Eyes:
2-26-73 - Dark Star>Eyes>Mississippi Half-Step
3-21-73 - Dark Star>Eyes>Wharf Rat
3-28-73 - Dark Star>Eyes>Playing in the Band
12-18-73 - Weather Report Suite>Dark Star>Eyes>Wharf Rat
And this unusual twist should be mentioned:
8-1-73 - Dark Star>El Paso>Eyes>Morning Dew
Dark Star>Morning Dew was done only twice in '73, if my memory's right (9-11-73 and 10-19-73) - although in '74 it would become a bit more common with three appearances (2-24-74, 9-10-74, and 10-28-74).
And, getting back to China Doll, there was only one time that song came out of Dark Star:
5-14-74 Weather Report Suite>Dark Star>China Doll
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | deyzof49 | Date: | Dec 8, 2008 4:50am |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: MORE STARS (setlist curiosities) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | He Live's | Date: | Dec 8, 2008 8:22am |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: MORE STARS (setlist curiosities) |
eyes of the world>china doll was such a key component to the 73 sound, putting the dark star in front pushed the whole thing over the top....
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | veblen | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 6:43pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | wineland | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 3:17pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | iowagreg | Date: | Dec 8, 2008 10:11am |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | Arbuthnot | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 4:57pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | He Live's | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 5:48pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
and thanks to rings and wineland for the replies.... all 4 versions of the trio is a must hear. previously i knew the 2/15 and 11/11 versions.... which are Deep. the DISCOVERY for me was the version from June 24 -- i really enjoyed that a lot... i would say that stands as my favorite of the four...
1. 6/24
2. 2/15
3. 11/11
4. 2/22
of course that order is subject to change.....
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | high flow | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 6:01pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | He Live's | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 6:09pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | high flow | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 8:11pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Awesome post. Thanks.
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | William Tell | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 6:29pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | wineland | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 7:23pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | William Tell | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 7:58pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
65: used the Birth of the Dead stuff (studio of the Nov stuff).
66: used 9-16, plus some of the "oddities download" that has most of the early tunes, from 66, again, many studio.
67: used 3-18 and 10-22 and that was enough!
68: used 10-12, but could've used 12-29 if the person is ready for fire!
69: used 11-8, but 2-27 or 4-5 are good choices.
70: used 9-19, but 5-1, 6-7 or 9-20 are obvious alternatives.
71: tough: can used 2-18, 4-28, 7-2, 8-6 or 11-7.
72: note confident, but can use 8-24 or close to that date. Or, an April Euro show.
73: would use one of the 11-13 or close by boxed set shows.
Other folks can give far better selections for 72 & 73.
74: Ask Helives, but maybe one of the Winterland, Oct nights?
75: I would use 6-17 but others might pick the Aug Vault release...tight!
Have fun!
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | wineland | Date: | Dec 8, 2008 10:08am |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | He Live's | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 7:00pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
but if you are willing to go into 71... why then aren't you getting more of what you love most in 72-73?.... i mean it's not PCM anymore, maybe i could see there being a feeling that they got too "jazzy" in 72.... but to me the Eras are:
66-69
70-73 (74)
75-78
79-82
and then OK, we get to My Line... but as i see you, you go right up to 73, IF you are gonna acknowledge 71 as acceptable, you gotta go the rest of the way! (as for 74, i'll figure it out some day... i like some of the shows, but it is not a year i gravitate to.)
cheers WT, good to hear from you!
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | William Tell | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 8:03pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | Arbuthnot | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 6:30pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | He Live's | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 7:08pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
i don't know, well.... it's my birth year so that has something to do with it -- but i have always gravitated to 73. in a sense, i know what you mean about the setlists.... but the GD for me has always been about living in a dream world. and i find the pastoral dreamworld that they cultivated with WAKE OF THE FLOOD and the presentation of the material in 1973 very appealing...
i took this picture today (i linked it to one of my favorite, most appropriate GD album covers):
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | wineland | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 7:12pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | shorthopper88 | Date: | Dec 8, 2008 9:12am |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | tigerbolt | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 7:02pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
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| Poster: | whirlwind dreamer 65-95 | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 7:49pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | He Live's | Date: | Dec 7, 2008 7:23pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
i was just replying to ARB about how i love 73 and the Wake of the Flood material, etc.... and there you are with yet another killer pic, with a big WOF banner over the stage! SWEET!... thanks man!
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | AshesRising | Date: | Dec 24, 2008 9:49pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
....yes, He does live!!! ...nowadays I've been messing around with the juxtaposition of "Ripple" and "Attics of My Life" .....'cuz I got no wings to fly ....like a bird without a song ...or a soul without no Self. .... brutal, brutal life, my West coast friend; absolutely gut-wrenching brutal beauty.
Do you have any idea how I am supposed to respond when strangers say "Merry Christmas" to me? Earlier today I just stared back at them speechless --- it didn't seem to be an appropriate response. What am I supposed to say or do?
Thanks, He Lives .....Bread of Life......where all the print is blood,
--- AshesRising
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | He Live's | Date: | Dec 26, 2008 8:50am |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
either way.... i hope you get some pain free days when you can relax a little.
i started making a vid after i got your message... but it took me a day to figure it out and get it up on youtube.... and this is my second stripped down effort.... i am going to try and do something else later.... maybe by the time you get this message i will put up some more stuff.
be well Ashes!
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | AshesRising | Date: | Dec 26, 2008 9:35am |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Are you at the same address as last year?
--- AshesRising
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | He Live's | Date: | Dec 26, 2008 7:53pm |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | Jerrob Hungar | Date: | Dec 31, 2008 5:26am |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
Here we are again, like Dr Spasmodious, looking out over the edge of another year, wondering "What sort of year will this coming year be?"
I've been trying to think of some suitable words to let you know I'm thinking of you and wishing you well but all I could think of were the good doctors words...
"Welcome my child to life again,
to the kingdom of hope and pain.
Let two thousand and nine arrive;
may grace prevail and we survive!"
Reply [edit]
| Poster: | deyzof49 | Date: | Dec 8, 2008 3:08am |
| Forum: | GratefulDead | Subject: | Re: METAPHYSICAL POETS (Dark Star>Eyes of the World>China Doll) |
